The Honest Plumber Heating and Air

Tips for Keeping Your AC Running Cold

The summer heat can knock you out if you aren’t careful. As many people watch the temperatures rise this early in the year, you know it’s going to be a hot one. That is why you need to make sure that AC is repaired. So, how do you make sure you can keep your AC running cold? All it takes is a little AC maintenance and AC repair. However, here some general tips.

When you have AC maintenance done, you will want to make sure that you have your antifreeze checked. This is what makes it cool. When they come out to check this as it should be checked once a year before it gets too warm and you have to run it. You also need to check the outside unit. What you are checking here is that it’s clear. There are so many things that can clog it which makes you find that it doesn’t run as efficiently. So, they will check to be sure that it’s clear. Some have grass chucked in it and so forth. Something you also want to look for when you are outside and trying to see if you need AC repair would be if there is cool air coming from the outside. This normally means that there is a problem. It is suggested that throughout the whole year, you should have it servcied once in the summer and the one other time. This is to make sure that the harsh weather changes doesn’t actually hurt your air conditioner when you will need it most. However, there are still other things that you can do as well. Something that you need to do is change your filter. Often times, people don’t know how often they are going to need this. The thing to remember is that this needs to be changed quite often. This makes it so that if you don’t change the filters then the pollen becomes a nuisance. On top of everything else, you find that it keeps your AC from working like it should. It is recommended that these filters should be changed once a month to ensure that you have a cool home when those summer months get pretty darn warm. If you follow these tips, then you are sure to have an AC that works wonders. You just have to make sure that you remember how often you should do things. This is the biggest mistake people often times make.

Have a Plumbing or A/C problem or need the services of a professional Las Vegas Contractor you can count on? Contact The Honest Plumber Heating and Air today at 702-508-4025

How Long Should You Run Your AC during the Day?

This is a question people ask primarily because of the cost of gas or electricity. Running a manual unit can make a room unnecessarily cold, and rack up a bill in the mean time. With an automatic air conditioner, it is a question of what temperature to set the unit to, since that determines how long it will run. More time means a bigger bill, but there is no reason for a person to suffer and swelter. It is a matter of budget and personal comfort. The more degrees above or below the outside temperature, the incrementally greater the bill, but a few degrees may be all that is necessary.

A second concern relates to AC service and repair. An older unit can break down if stressed too hard, because of wear to the parts or even the harsh draw on current. A low-income family, living in a trailer for instance, probably cold not afford a new unit or the price of AC service. Electricity is still much cheaper than equipment, and so the gains from efficiency might not stack up against the up-front cost. Families or individuals working with classic air conditioners wish to preserve them by not working them to death. Even if it does not fall apart, it will need more frequent maintenance by an AC service. A solidly built unit can last for decades, although they can become clunky and inefficient due to age. It can be two thousand dollars for a new unit, which may or may not be worth the money depending on family budget. A new unit will retain its value if the property is sold, and may actually increase sales value since it is pre-installed. On the other hand, an old home may not be of interest to the housing market, and so the owner is stuck making to and playing for economy. An alternative to a new AC is to install additional insulation, or even cutting a back room off from circulation and using it for storage. A further consideration for economy is that running an AC during the day is much more expensive than running it during the night, because that is when the house is hottest. Body heat adds to the sweat box, so it can be beneficial to be outside or elsewhere during the day, and turn the dial up. Shade from trees also lowers the cooling bill, so plant some shade trees. It is also possible to buy small units for each room and only run it in the room in use. This option does not require installation by an AC service.

Have a Plumbing or A/C problem or need the services of a professional Las Vegas Contractor you can count on? Contact The Honest Plumber Heating and Air today at 702-508-4025

Benefits Of Regular AC Service Maintenance

Are you guilty of skipping routine AC maintenance for your air conditioner so you can do away with the fees? While air conditioners are usually built to be durable, that doesn’t mean we should be complacent in servicing them regularly. Here are some benefits of regular AC maintenance to convince the non-believers.

How an Air Conditioner Functions Many are not aware of the fact that an air conditioner function less effectively by five percent as each year pass by without regular servicing. By having routine servicing, your air conditioner can maintain more than ninety percent of its efficiency. In the long run, you actually generate more savings via lower electricity bills and repair costs if you opt for regular AC service. Otherwise, you will be wondering at the increase in your electricity bills while your AC unit aren’t performing as well as before. Summer During summer, many AC servicing firms will launch promotions to attract customers. You can take advantage of the discounts or even better, sign up for an annual plan so you won’t forget about the maintenance. AC Service Usually, an AC service would commence by checking the compressor’s amp draw and cleaning of the condensing unit coils. The fan motors will be lubricated to avoid friction. Do you find yourself wondering why switching on the AC seems to make not much of a difference in lowering the temperature of the room? The coolant level of your AC may be running low, thus heat can’t be absorbed effectively. As your coolant level decreases, it takes more energy to run the AC! It is advisable to check for the coolant level on a yearly basis. More coolant will be added for replenishment so your AC can continue to function effectively. Your Part You can play a part in the maintenance of your AC. If your AC requires filter change, be sure to change them regularly. Keep the area near the external of your AC clean so that heat can dissipated effectively.

Routine maintenance will save you from days of discomfort and frustration when your AC breaks down, especially during warm seasons. Repair costs can be substantial compared to regular servicing, so don’t let yourself get caught in this situation. Replace or Repair Replacing an air conditioner is expensive. It is much less expensive to maintain your air conditioner with regular AC maintenance. Over the years, making sure that your AC is working correctly will far outweigh the cost of replacement every few years.

Have a Plumbing or A/C problem or need the services of a professional Las Vegas Contractor you can count on? Contact The Honest Plumber Heating and Air today at 702-508-4025

The Most Modern HVAC Systems Available Today

Rheem AC The term HVAC is commonly used in the cooling and heating industry. It refers to “heating, ventilation, and air conditioning.” The modern AC has undergone a great deal of changes in the last two decades. Heated air from a furnace or heat pump system or cooled air from an AC system is forced through vents or air ducts, and then distributed evenly to the entire house or building. A central HVAC system is considered the most efficient and cost effective way to cool or heat the entire home.

Unless you live in an exceptionally mild climate, the HVAC system in your home uses more energy than any other system in the home. It is a fact that nearly half of one’s utility bills are due to heating and/or cooling the home. Therefore, it is only common sense that if one can upgrade their home heating and cooling system to as efficient as possible, energy costs could be greatly reduced. Fortunately, the modern AC systems have greatly improved in energy efficiency in the last 20 years. Another improvement of the 1990s is the whole house approach to heating and cooling. If one can combine the heating and cooling systems to work together, using the same vent system, one can greatly improve the energy efficiency of the home. It also stands to reason that by properly maintaining the equipment (including weatherization, proper insulation, and yearly inspections) your system will run more efficiently and extend the life of your system. In addition, you may be able to reduce your yearly energy bills by as much as 50%. If you are considering investing in a new central furnace, check the ENERGY STAR® database, which has information about the most cost effective energy systems and appliances and is very user friendly. There are central HVAC units called heat pumps that are designed to provide both heating and cooling functions. These systems are much more efficient than the older furnace systems. A heat pump can reduce the amount of electricity you use for heating by as much as 40 percent. These companies can provide the homeowner with excellent heating and cooling systems that more than meet the Title-24 energy efficiency standards, used in many states including Nevada. Many of these systems are also environmentally friendly and reduce toxic emissions into the air.

Have a Plumbing or A/C problem or need the services of a professional Las Vegas Contractor you can count on? Contact The Honest Plumber Heating and Air today at 702-508-4025

The Benefits of Trench-Less Sewer Replacements

Trenchless sewer line replacements are the future of sewer line repairs and are growing in popularity everyday. There are many benefits to using this new type of sewer line, but the biggest are the time and money tat is saved when doing it this way.

When a sewer line is broken and needs to be replaced or repaired, the ground must first be dug up where the repair needs to be made, or the entire line needs to be dug up; this can be labor intensive and therefore expensive. The line may be underneath a piece of ground for easy access, but just as likely it will be underneath concrete or asphalt, such as a driveway or sidewalk.

The digging needed for a trenchless repair is limited to the start and stop of the drain pipe. This represents a significant cost savings in labor. In fact, the total process of digging and installation can often be done in a single day. After the holes are dug, an opening is created at both ends of the drain line. A steel cable with a metal head is then pulled through the line with three tons of pressure to break the drain pipe from the inside, creating a perfect size for the new drain pipe. This new drain pipe is made from a strong plastic that is one continues piece of pipe and connected at each end by a melting process.

After installation, this single piece of pipe has the additional benefit of resistance to tree roots working their way into the drain pipe. This is common with iron pipes because of the segmented construction. People who have drain line stoppages due to tree roots will no longer have that problem.

If you have any doubts about the cost savings, it is easy to get a quote for a trenchless repair from one plumber and a repair done the traditional way from another. You will see and obvious difference in money savings as well as the time the plumber will be spending at your house. If you decide on this new method of drain pipe repair, make sure you use a licensed and bonded plumber, as well as one with experience with this plumbing specialty.

Maintaining Your Septic Tank

If a homeowner lives in a rural area or in an area not serviced by a sewer system, the odds are that a septic tank system is in place. The septic tank system consists of a large, waterproof concrete box with an average capacity of 1,000 gallons. The tank has two sections. The first section collects the solid waste, and the second section holds the water that is transfered out of the tank into a drainage field consisting of laterals and drainage tiles. Septic tanks must be properly maintained to assure that the homeowner has as few problems as possible.

The first step in proper septic tank maintenance is to limit the amount of water and other substances placed in the tank. The more liquid that is placed in the tank, the sooner the tank will need to be pumped. Also, do not place grease, fat, or excessive amounts of waste into the tank through the garbage disposal. These substances can clog up the lines and lead to the need for more frequent pumping.

Second, have the septic tank pumped out on a regular basis. The interval between tank pumpings depends on the amount of water usage and the size of the tank. However, as a general rule, the septic tank should be pumped out by a licensed contractor about every three years.

Finally, make sure to keep the drainage field clear of anything that might impede proper septic tank drainage. For instance, don’t plant trees near the drainage field as tree roots often grow into lateral lines causing blockages. Try not to drive heavy equipment or cars over the drainage field area as this may compact the soil or crush lateral lines as well.

By following these few simple steps, the average homeowner will have little trouble with their home’s septic system in the years to come.

Heater Repair »

Air conditioner not doing the job?

When you live in a warm climate, most people consider a central air conditioner essential to the comfort of your home. Does yours keep the house comfortable, and are the electric bills within your budget? If these are not true, here are some facts you may wish to consider.
Manufacturers recommend twice a year inspection and maintenance of your air conditioner to keep the warranty in effect. These regular tune-ups, when done by a HVAC system professional, allows for problems to be found early and the system to be properly adjusted for maximum efficiency. Ask for a list of services performed- there is some variation, but most of the below list should be covered.
• Check carbon monoxide emissions
• Inspect gas valve, lines and connections for any leaks
• Burners and heat exchangers examined
• Visible parts tested for leaks
• Unit checked and adjusted, if needed, for peak efficiency
• Unit wiring, ignition system and electrical assembly inspected
• Indoor blower wheel and motor inspected, with amp draw recorded
• Thermostat checked and calibrated, if needed

If you have had these done already, there are some things you can do to help the unit work effectively. Even with regular maintenance, most homeowners are not aware that they can be causing the unit to work harder than is needed.
The unit that actually sits outside is the condenser. Keep the area free of bushes, leaves,and grass so that the air flow to the unit is the best it can be. A foot or two of free space on each side is a good rule of thumb.
Keep the unit clean. Debris on the inside and outside reduces the effectiveness of the AC. Turn off the power to the AC, and spray it down with a hose from the top. This will remove anything from the inside, allowing you to sweep it away.
Shading the unit keeps the coils inside it cooler, this reducing the amount of work needed to cool those coils. If the coils inside are not cool, they must be cooled down before your house can be cooled. A shade tree near the unit is a permanent solution, but even a shade placed over it will help.

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